Scientific Investigation vs. Technological Design

Science and Technology

Science• Science is a process of inquiry that

searches for relationships that explain and predict the physical, living and designed world.

• Followed to determine the relationship between an independent and dependent variable described by a hypothesis.

• The results of scientific investigations can advance science knowledge.

Technology• Technology is the application

of scientific discoveries to meet human needs and goals through the development of products and processes.

• Followed to design products or processes to meet specified needs.

• The results of technological designs can advance standard of living in societies.

Some ways that the two processes might be compared:

Scientific Investigation Technological Design

Identifies a problem-asks a question Identifies a problem or need

Researches related information Researches related information

Designs and investigation or experiment Designs a process or product

Conducts the investigation or experiment- repeat trials

Implements the design or the process-repeated testing

Analyses the results Analyses the results

Evaluates the conclusion-did the results refute or verify the hypothesis

Evaluates the process or product- did it meet the criteria

Communicates the findings Communicates the product or process

Technological Design

What is it?• Technological designs or

products are produced by the application of scientific knowledge to meet specific needs of humans.

• The field of engineering

focuses on these processes.

Four Steps– Problem identification– Solution design (a process or

a product)– Implementation – Evaluation

The common requirements within the solution design stage of all technological designs or products include:

• Cost effectiveness or lowest cost for production

• Time effectiveness or the least amount of time required for production

• Understand the benefits need to exceed the risk.

• There are tradeoffs among the various criteria. For example, the best material for a specific purpose may be too expensive.

• Materials that meet specific criteria, such as:

-Solves the problem -Reasonably priced -Availability -Durability -Not harmful to users or to the

environment -Qualities matching

requirements for product or solution

-Manufacturing process matches characteristics of the material